12/01/1983 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEE'T'ING OF THE ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 1, 1983
A regular meting of the Advisory Park and Recreation Committee was called to
order by Chairman Martin at 7:00 P.M.. .Members present were Martin, Gertz.,
Alt, Thurston, Jackson, Fedde, Masin, Carroll and McNeely. Absent was nEnber
Kubik. Also present were the Director of Parks and Recreation, Ken Vraa, and
Administrative Staff, Liz Witt. Larry Frank of Derrick Land Company was present
to discuss the Berkshire Ponds Development proposal.
AGENDA
Parks and Recreation Director, Vraa, added the McCarthy property to new business.
On a motion by Carroll, seconded by Jackson, the Commission approved the agenda
as amended.
MINUTES
November 3, 1983
Chairman Martin noted a few typos which needed correcting. Thurston moved,
Gertz seconded,, to approve the minutes with noted corrections. The motion
passed.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
Berkshire Ponds
Larry Frank of Derrick Land Company was present to discuss this development
which is scheduled for Advisory Planning Commission review on December 13.
Mr. Frank displayed a drawing showing the proposed plot and a proposed pur-
chase. There was 4.7 acres of park dedication, of which 2.51 was land. There
are also two ponding areas in the park parcel. He proposed to berm the park
along 35E and put in a tot lot. He further proposed the Parks Department
maintain the tot lot and park. He said the park could serve this new neighbor-
hood well despite its smaller size.
Chairman Martin said the Commission must weigh the benefits for the neighborhood
and entire ccmrnmity, noting that Ridgecliff Park was only a short distance away.
He also questioned the wisdom of a waterway in such close proximity to a tot lot
area.
Cantnission comber Fedde asked if the parcel could be used for anything other than
a mini-park. Mr. Frank said it is more of a passive area. Chairman Martin noted
the parcel is too close to "the passive" Lebanon Hills, which can provide the
sane type of park amenities. He felt the City would just be adding to its park
maintenance responsibilities when the parcel is not needed for the park system.
The City prefers to have 10-12 acres before the City would consider maintenance
on a park.
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Advisory Committee
December 1, 1983
Page 2.
Commission member Thurston indicated she likes the idea of a tot lot for small
children. However, the City has a neighborhood park already for this service
section. It was suggested to Mr. Frank that a homeowners association could be
created to take care of the play area.
After discussion, staff was asked to review and comment on the proposed park
parcel. Jackson moved, seconded by Carroll, to table the item until January.
The motion was carried.
Hillandale Addition 7#12
The proposed preliminary plat contains 12.58 acres with 125 dwelling units.
The original plat had to be changed due to the realignment of 35E. On a
motion by Carroll, seconded by Fedde, the Commission approved a cash dedica-
tion. The Commission encouraged that a tot lot be included in the development,
subject to staff review.
Commission nenber Masin commented on the fact that some tot lots are not
properly maintained. The Commission generally agreed that it is a problem
and developers should be strongly encouraged to take care of their amenities.
Westbury Plat
Park and Recreation Director Vraa noted there is approximately 8.3 acres of
park dedication due as part of the Lexington South P.D.. He also pointed out
the addition of outlet B designated as a tot lot area. In a motion by Martin,
seconded by McNeely, the Commission agreed to accept the dedication as proposed.
OLD BUSINESS
Tree Transplanting
Chairman Martin liked the tree transplanting policy as developed by Director
Vraa. The other menbers agreed and Jackson moved, Carroll seconded, to approve
the policy as written, subject to Council approval. The motion carried
unanimously.
Park System Plans
Director Vraa stated that systems plan is on the City Council December 6 agenda
for formal acceptance. The Director noted that Mr. Erkkila did an excellent
job and the graphics were particularly good. The cost of publishing was under
the estimate. He continued to say that he discussed the updating and review
portion of the plan with Mr. Erkkila who has agreed to keeping the contract
open. The review will be done in November of 1984.
Minute- of a Regular Meeting of the Advisory Committee
Decemhe 1, 1983
Page 3.
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa suggested that a Citizens Task Force be
formed in January of '84 to look at•a spring bond issue. Many meetings would
be necessary but it would be possible to set a spring referendum. Director
Vraa felt there should be at least three Commission nnbers on the task force.
Chairman Martin said we should be careful of too much Cammission bias, but did
not want to see a task force duplicate the work of the Commission. A broad
representation of the community is needed.
The Commission discussed the amount of a potential bond issue as discussed
with the City Council. It was agreed that the task force issue had to be
placed on the December 6 City Council agenda in order to neet the spring
deadline. There was additional discussion concerning the task force and a
potential bond issue.
Coninission member Thurston moved, seconded by McNeely, that Parks and Recreation
Director Vraa seek authorization to form a task force, with membership to be
appointed by the City Countil by late December or early January. The Commission
wanted the opportunity to suggest names and the opportunity to review candidates
as well as the goals and objectives of the task force. The notion carried un-
animously. Corrrnission member Thurston will assist Director Vraa with the adminis-
trative letter to the City Council.
The Commission noted that the finance sub-committee of the Congnission should
be involved with the task force. There was more discussion about marketing
the bond issue and there was agreement to state what will be the results of
a successful referendum rather than where the monies would be spent. The
sub-committee on finance will meet December 7 at 7:00 P.M..
NEW BUSINESS
McCarthy Property
The Director indicated that this item was before the Commission at the request
of the Engineering Department. There are 70 acres in this parcel, with a.7
acre dedication to parks. The City plans to put in trunk storm sewer through
the property, but may have to go through condemnation to get easement. Mr.
McCarthy is also reluctant to give park dedication if easement is taken.
Director Vraa observed. that the City has long sought a trail through the
property as connection to Patrick Eagan Park. Further, the City has already
acquired property from Windcrest to make this connection. There was additional
discussion regarding their issue concerning the need for a trail and neighborhood
park.
In a motion by Thurston, seconded by Martin, the Commission stated that useable
park land is needed; this area has been identified on the master park plan and
park dedication should not be an issue in an easement negotiation. The notion
carried unanimously.
Minutes -f a Regular Meeting of the Advisory Catinittee
December 1983
Page 4.
OTHER BUSINESS
The October-November Maintenance Report was included for informational purposes.
Sub-Committee Reports
1. Kehne House - A meeting was held in November which generated some good
suggestions as to uses for the Kehne House. Director Vraa is following
up on suggestions and will bring his findings back to the sub-committee.
2. . Park Names - A November meeting was not held. It was agreed this sub-
committee would meet December 6 at 6:30 P.M. prior to the finance sub-
committee meeting to review recoiurendations.
Director Vraa announced the annual P.13.D. review will take place on December 15
at a joint meeting of the Advisory Parks Commission and City Council.
ADJOUFtKJIF'NT
Commission der Carroll moved, Martin seconded, to adjourn the meeting at
9:30 P.M.. The.motion carried.
Dated:
D r Gee%~~~...-~'
visory Parks & Recreation
Secretary